Window assembly having a removable sash therein



March 17, 1964 W- O. JOHNSON WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAVING A REMOVABLE SASH THEREIN Filed June 20, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

. INVENTOR.

ALDO QJOHNSON awmmaw ATTYS.

March 17, 1964 w. o. JOHNSON 3,124,850

WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAVING A REMOVABLE SASH THEREIN Filed June 20. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WALDO O. JOH NSON QZ Q42 2 My- ATTYS United States Patent Ohio Filed June 20, 1961, Ser. No. 118,329 5 Claims. (Cl. 2052.2)

The present invention relates to window assemblies, and especially to so-called storm or auxiliary windows, or to replacement window units wherein the window assembly has removable sashes therein.

In nearly all window assemblies, it usually is quite difiicu'lt to reach the outer surfaces of the window sashes for cleaning actions, or for replacement of the window sash when any window therein is broken, or for other reasons, as desired. Hence it is desirable to provide easily removable sashes in homes and similar buildings.

Furthermore, building constructions and window sash constructions have changed greatly over the years so that many homes and other buildings which have old style wooden double hung sashes therein find that the amount of light admitted into the building through such old style sashes is not as great as the amount of light admitted through comparable size window openings in modern buildings having nletal window sashes provided therein. Hence, it is highly desirable to replace window sashes in old buildings with new modern metal sashes, if a convenient replacement construction could be provided, as one would simultaneously dress up and modernize the building in its appearance and also provide more light in the building by such action.

It thus is an important and general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved window assembly having securely positioned but removable sashes therein to facilitate removal of the sashes for any desired purpose.

It is another object of the invention to provide a replacement window sash unit and carrier frame to replace conventional old double hung wooden sashes and provide modern metal sashes and positioning frame means therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved but substantially inexpensive metal window assembly wherein the window sashes are slidably positioned therein and where one sash is wider than the other but where both sashes can be conveniently removed and replaced, as desired, so that the sashes can be cleaned, repaired, or the like.

Further objects of the invention are to provide novel and improved track members for receiving and position ing metal framed modern window sashes therein; to provide special laterally movable track members in a window assembly for slidably engaging runners or ribs provided on a metal Window sash; to provide an inclined face on the carrier track members for window sashes to facilitate removal of the window sash therefrom or engagement of the window sash therewith; to provide carrier track members in a window assembly which are continually resiliently urged laterally inwardly in the window assembly to engage the sashes and form an air tight seal therewith; and to provide window sashes that can be used either as storm windows or as prime windows in .a building unit, as desired.

3,124,850 Patented Mar. 17, 19.64

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

For a better understanding of the present invention, attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a window assembly embodying the principles of the invention and incorporated in a so-called storm window unit;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are horizontal sections taken on lines 22 and 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the window assembly of FIG. 1 with portions of the sashes being broken away;

FIG. 5 is a broken away horizontal section of a modified window assembly unit of the invention and which comprises a replacement unit for a conventional wooden double hung window sash, and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, like FIG. 3, of the structure shown in FIG. 4.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

This invention relates to a window assembly comprising an upper and a lower sash having a pair of vertically extending side rails on each sash, one of the sashes being wider than the other, Vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging recesses. thereon received in each of the side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, and compressible means positioned in the channel portions and urging the tracks laterally inwardly, the tracks engaging the sash side rails in the recesses to position the sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress the compressible means and permit removal of the sashes, the tracks diverging towards the inner surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal of the sashes.

Attention now is particularly directed to the details of the structures shown in the accompanying drawings, and a window assembly of the invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 1. The window assembly 1 is adapted to be attached to a suitable building 2 and it normally forrns a storm, or auxiliary outer window assembly therein.

The window assembly 1 may include a plurality of vertically extending expanders 3 and 4 that are of generally U-shape in horizontal section with the open portion of the U extending laterally inwardly of the window assembly. The expanders adjustably receive complementary shaped spaced flanges 5 and 6 provided on side stiles 7 and 8 in the window assembly and extending vertically thereof. The side stiles '7 and 8 may be made from suitable material and preferably are made from extruded metal, such as aluminum, so that the special contours and shapes shown can readily be formed in the side stiles for receiving and positioning components of the window assembly therein. The side stiles 7 and 8 each have a laterally inwardly open channel portion 9 provided therein, and it is a feature of the invention that resilient means, such as a foam rubber or polyurethane, or some other type of a compressible plastic strip or body 10 is received therein. Thus this foam or cellular plastic body 10 is resilient and in its normal uncompressed form subo stantially fillsthe channel portion 9 in the side stiles, and usually extends the length thereof.

So as to position window sashes 11 and 12 in the window assembly, a track member 13 is received and retained in the laterally inner section of each of the channel portions 9. The track is of such a width as to engage inwardly overhanging flanges 14 and 15 provided integrally with the side stiles 7 and 8 at the margins of the channel portion 9. These track members 13 may be made from any suitable material, and preferably are formed from relatively light gage, low friction, substantially rigid plastic material so that the track members have some longitudinal flexibility even though they are provided with sash engaging means, such as pairs of opposed, laterally inwardly open recesses 16 and 17. These recesses 16 and 17 are adapted to engage and slidably position the sashes 11 and 12 by engaging one flange or leg 18 or 18a provided in an H-shape in section run-' ners 19 and 19a secured to the lateral margins of each of the sashes 11 and 12. The recesses 16 and 17 are formed by laterally outwardly extending riblike members or sections in the tracks. The runners 19 are of substantially channel shape at their laterally outer margins and the other legs 20 and 20a thereof slidably bear on the tracks 13.

FIGS. 2 and 3 best show that the section runners 19 on the sash 11 have appreciably longer legs 18 and 20 formed thereon than the legs 18!: and 20a formed on the corresponding runners 19a on the sash 12. Such a construction, in coordination with the novel shape provided for the tracks 13 by the present invention, forms an important feature of the present construction by which removal and replacement of the different sashes 11 and 12 is facilitated. Thus these same FIGURES 2 and 3 show that the tracks 13 are of a shape so that they converge in a direction towards the inner face or inner surface of the building 2. To this end, positioning sections or flanges 21 and 22 are formed on the tracks 13 with the positioning section 21 being appreciably longer than the similar section 22 formed on the inner end of the tracks 13. These flange sections or positioning sections 21 and 22 engage with the channel section 9 of the side stiles 7 so that the tracks 13 are positioned for sliding engagement with the side stiles and have movement in a direction laterally or transversely of the window assembly 1 to facilitate sash replacement and removal. This positioning action for the sashes is obtained through the foam, or resilient member that normally resiliently urges the tracks 13 laterally inwardly of the window and causes the positioning sections 21 and 22 to normally engage the overhanging flanges 14 and provided on the side s'tiles so that the Window sashes are resiliently and eflFectively positioned in substantially air tight engagement with the tracks but are readily slidable vertically thereon. However, forces manually applied to the tracks 13 will readily compress the members 10 and permit removal of the sashes. Hence to remove the sashes, at least one of the tracks 13 should be urged laterally outwardly either directly manually, or by forces applied thereto through the associated window sash, and then after the sash has been removed, the foam material 10 will cause the tracks 13 to take the normal positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be seen that the fact that only one of the legs 18 or of each of the sashes is engaged with the recesses 16 or 17, respectively, greatly facilitates and simplifies removing the sash from engagement with the tracks 13. Furthermore, by the inclined surfaces formed on the tracks 13 at the portions 23 and 24 thereof intermediate the outer sash 12 and inner sash 11, and the inner sash 11 and its guiding recess 16 and the inner edge of the track 13, respectively; greatly facilitates more or less of an automatic positioning action when one desires to reengage the sashes with their positioning strips as the sashes can be brought into engagement with the inclined surfaces and just be pushed outwardly of the window assembly to slide or snap automatically into the carrier and guiding recesses 16 and 17.

In some instances, possibly only one resilient body or member 10 may be used and the opposite track could be fixed in position.

A special mullion 29 is shown in FIG. 4 and it normally would be secured to and extend between the side stiles 7 and 3 for engaging latch means (not shown) carried by the upper sash 12 to lock it in its uppermost operative position in a conventional manner. The sash 12 has a lower meeting rail 30 provided thereon for interlocking engagement with the upper sash meeting rail 31 formed on the lower sash when both sashes are in their normal closed positions.

It should be realized that the upper sash is dropped downwardly a short distance, or else the lower sash is moved up slightly to disengage the meeting rails 30 and 31 prior to removal of the lower sash 11, after which the upper sash can be removed also, as desired.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified type of a window assembly unit of the invention 1a. This window assembly is particularly adapted for use as a replacement sash where a building 2a has had ordinary wooden, double hung sashes provided therein and which have been removed, together with the center stop in such window assembly. Thus a generally channel shaped side stile or frame 40, usually made of metal, is provided for each vertical margin of the window assembly, and these side stiles 40 preferably have flanges 41 formed on their inner ends and shaped complementary to the inner stops 42 provided in the original window assembly to make a smooth connection therewith. These stiles may be positioned, for example, by screws 43 engaged with the building 2a. Also, the side stiles have an overhanging vertically extending rib 44 formed therein so that an inner channel shaped portion 45 is provided in the side stiles for positioning the window sash means of the invention in a manner substantially the same as the structures shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, sashes 11a and 12a generally similar to the sashes 11 and 12 are provided and these sashes are positioned in a similar manner to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 by means of vertically extending tracks 13a. In this instance, the foam member or resilient member 10:: received within the channel shaped sec tion 45 may have metal coil springs 46 received therein to aid in obtaining a desired resilient positioning action for the sashes 11a and 12a. Naturally these springs 46, or members similar thereto can be used with the foam or resilient members 10, when desired.

The sashes 11a and 12a normally have less lateral width in the runners and positioning means provided therein than in conventional wooden sashes and more light thus is admitted into the building 2a than if old wooden double hung sashes are used. Furthermore, the sashes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are attractive in design and provide a modern, lightweight construction in the building at minimum change to the original building con struction andat a reasonable cost.

FIG. 6 shows that a novel substantially U-shaped sealing strip 47 is provided secured to the lower sash rail 48 of the sash 12a. Such sealing strip 47 is secured by one arm thereof to this sash rail and with the other arm or section thereof being of a resilient construction and adapted to resiliently bear on the associated lower ledge 49 of the window opening whereby an effective sealed positioning of the sash 12a is provided. A conventional latch 50 is shown carried by this lower sash rail 48 to engage apertures in vertically spaced portions of the flanges 41 to position the sash in the window assembly at raised positions.

The sashes 11 and 12 of the invention may be of the same or different vertical lengths, and may have any suitable latches, screen means and the like, as desired, used therewith.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows that a roller type of a screen 25 may be provided in the window assembly and it usually is in removable engagement with a parting rail 26 formed as part of the lower sash 11. This roll screen 25 is received within a special channeled section 27 provided in each of the side stiles, and a sealing strip 28 is also positioned in this channel section 28 to prevent bugs from passing around the margins of the roll screen.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a relatively uncomplicated but novel type of a window assembly has been provided, and that readily operable means are present in the window assembly whereby the window sashes can be readily removed and be replaced in the apparatus or window assembly, as desired. Hence it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

This is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Serial No. 35,572 now abandoned.

While two complete embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of these particular embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash with a pair of vertically extending metal side rails on each sash and each side rail having a laterally outwardly extending flange thereon, vertically extending metal side stiles adapted to be positioned in a frame of a double hung wood window with the windows and center stop therein removed, said side stiles having edge flanges thereon for engaging inner stops of a wood window, a longitudinally flexible track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash rail flange engaging recesses therein operatively engaged with each of said side stiles for movement laterally of the Window at all portions of a horizontal section of said track, and compressible means positioned in said side stiles and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, one of said sashes being wider than the other, said tracks diverging towards the inner surface of the window assembly between said sash rail flange engaging recesses and with the said wider one of said sashes being the inner sash, the divergence of said tracks facilitating replacement of said sashes and removal thereof by springing at least one of said tracks laterally outwardly of the window assembly.

2. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging recesses thereon received in each of said side stiles and engaged therewith for confined lateral movement in the channel portion thereof of the track for the entire width and length of the track, and compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, said tracks engaging said sash side rails in said recesses to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks diverging towards the inner surface of the window as sembly for substantially its entire width to facilitate removal and replacement of said sashes, said side rails being of substantially channel shape at their laterally outer margins and with only one leg of each said side rail being received in a said recess to position a said sash, and with the other leg of said side rails slidably bearing on diverging portions of said tracks adjacent said recesses.

3. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash with adjacent horizontally extending meeting rails thereon and a pair of vertically extending side rails on each sash, vertically extending side stiles having laterally in wardly open channel portions therein extending the height of the window assembly, a plastic track having a pair of parallel laterally outwardly extending ribs thereon to provide a pair of recesses on the inner surfaces of said plastic track received in each of said side stiles in the channel portions thereof, said plastic tracks being longitudinally flexible and extending the height of the window assembly, said side stiles and said plastic tracks being interengaged to prevent separation thereof by laterally inward movement of said plastic tracks but to permit laterally outward movement of all portions of said plastic tracks, compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said plastic tracks laterally inwardly, said plastic tracks engaging said sash side rails in said recesses to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement, said plastic tracks being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said plastic tracks being constructed and arranged to diverge towards the inner surface of the window assembly at a substantially uniform angle from adjacent the outer surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal of said sashes and sliding said sashes into engagement with said tracks.

4. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending metal side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein with overhanging edge flanges thereon, a track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging recesses thereon received in each of said side stiles and confined therein by said edge flange for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof at all portions of said track, said track having laterally outwardly extending positioning flanges at the outer and inner edges of said track and with said positioning flanges being parallel but with said positioning flange at the outer edge of said track being longer than the other said positioning flange, and compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, said tracks engaging said edge flanges to be limited in laterally inward movement thereby, said tracks engaging said sash side rails in said recesses to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks diverging towards the inner surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal and reassembly of said sashes, said side rails being of substantially channel shape at their laterally outer margins and with only one leg of each said side rail being received in a said recess to position a said sash, and with the other leg of said side rails slidably bearing on said tracks adjacent said recesses.

5. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging recesses thereon re ceived in each of said side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, and compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, said tracks engaging said sash side rails in said recesses to position said cashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks diverging towards the inner surface of the window assembly from the outer surface of the window assembly to the inner surface thereof, to facilitate removal of said sashes, said side rails being of substantially channel shape at their laterally outer margins and with only one leg of each said side rail being re- 7 ceived in a said recess to position a said sash, and with the other leg of said side rails slidably bearing on said tracks adjacent said recesses, the axially outer legs of said' side rails being received in said recesses and being axially narrower than said recesses, the axially inner of said legs and its engagement with said tracks and the divergence thereof aiding in retaining said outer legs against margins of said recesses to aid in forming an air tight sliding connection therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Starck et a1. Ian. 22,- 1957 Pengelly Ian. 7, 1958 Oehmig Dec. 2, 1958 Mears Mar. 17, 1959 Lundgren Mar. 31, 1959 Vredberg Sept. 15, 1959 Lauer Sept. 12, 1961 

1. IN A WINDOW ASSEMBLY, AN UPPER AND LOWER SASH WITH A PAIR OF VERTICALLY EXTENDING METAL SIDE RAILS ON EACH SASH AND EACH SIDE RAIL HAVING A LATERALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE THEREON, VERTICALLY EXTENDING METAL SIDE STILES ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN A FRAME OF A DOUBLE HUNG WOOD WINDOW WITH THE WINDOWS AND CENTER STOP THEREIN REMOVED, SAID SIDE STILES HAVING EDGE FLANGES THEREON FOR ENGAGING INNER STOPS OF A WOOD WINDOW, A LONGITUDINALLY FLEXIBLE TRACK HAVING A PAIR OF PARALLEL LATERALLY INWARDLY OPEN SASH RAIL FLANGE ENGAGING RECESSES THEREIN OPERATIVELY ENGAGED WITH EACH OF SAID SIDE STILES FOR MOVEMENT LATERALLY OF THE WINDOW AT ALL PORTIONS OF A HORIZONTAL SECTION OF SAID TRACK, AND COMPRESSIBLE MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID SIDE STILES AND URGING SAID TRACKS LATERALLY INWARDLY, ONE OF SAID SASHES BEING WIDER THAN THE OTHER, SAID TRACKS DIVERGING TOWARDS THE INNER SURFACE OF THE WINDOW ASSEMBLY BETWEEN SAID SASH RAIL FLANGE ENGAGING RECESSES AND WITH THE SAID WIDER ONE OF SAID SASHES BEING THE INNER SASH, THE DIVERGENCE OF SAID TRACKS FACILITATING REPLACEMENT OF SAID SASHES AND REMOVAL THEREOF BY SPRINGING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TRACKS LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE WINDOW ASSEMBLY. 